Hartwell, an easygoing lake community with a vibrant downtown
Built around a manmade lake on the Georgia/South Carolina border, Hartwell is a small town that’s big on recreation. Lake Hartwell covers 56,000 acres for boating, fishing and swimming, and downtown Hartwell has cultural attractions, restaurants and businesses to visit after a day on the water. Many buyers here are retirees or vacation homeowners, but Debbie Henry, Hartwell resident and Realtor at Living Down South Realty, notes that the rise of remote work since the pandemic has drawn in more full-time residents. “People who’ve moved here are from all walks of life. The town has so much charm and it’s so laid-back,” she says.
Lake Hartwell is at the center of recreation for residents
Stretching across state borders, the expansive Lake Hartwell has 962 miles of shoreline. Camping, boating, fishing and swimming are all popular pastimes, and several islands, including the unofficially named “party island” near the I-85 bridge, serve as hangout spots. “When you’re meeting up with people, you meet halfway on an island. Some people will stop their boat in the deep water, and get out and float around,” Henry says. “It’s great water.” Fishing tournaments, like the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship and Whataburger Bassmaster Elite, also draw crowds to the lake. Off the water, golfers test their skills at the Hartwell Golf Club, and families connect with diverse animal and plant species at the Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari and Hart County Botanical Garden. “[The botanical garden] is the best-kept secret. It’s gorgeous and all member-run,” Henry says.
Custom, waterfront properties and humble ranch styles
Hartwell has several options for homebuyers. “You have lakefront properties, and then there are properties that aren’t on the lake, but you have access to it,” Henry says. “The downtown area is also growing. Some people keep their boats on the marina and live in town.” Yards tend to be a bit smaller closer to town, but most homes sit on spacious plots with mature trees. Buyers also have a range of styles to choose from: ranch-style and newly built, Craftsman-inspired properties in subdivisions sell for between $100,000 and $550,000. Larger, custom homes range from $580,000 to $2 million.
Seafood at Boathouse Grille, more restaurants downtown
After a day on the lake, Boathouse Grille serves seafood overlooking the water. Or, locals can head to Hartwell’s small downtown for more locally owned restaurants and businesses. Friends can meet up for lunch at Market 5 sandwich shop, pick up pastries and specialty lattes at Common Ground, or enjoy Friday night drinks and wings at Southern Hart Brewing Company. A quick drive down Franklin Street just outside the downtown leads to grocers like Ingles, Walmart and Aldi.
Community events include the Pre-4th Fireworks Celebration
In addition to shops and restaurants, downtown has cultural venues and events. Locals can watch theatrical performances at Hart County Community Theater, attend monthly blues jams at High Cotton, or peruse the paintings at Hartwell Arts Center. The town’s Pre-4th Fireworks Celebration, held the week before Independence Day, is among Hartwell’s largest annual events. Live music, food trucks and vendors downtown draw crowds gearing up for the evening fireworks show over the lake. “Thousands of people come from everywhere. It’s a huge day here,” Henry says.
Career pathways at Hart County schools
Area students may begin at Hartwell Elementary School, which has a B rating from Niche. Hart County Middle School and Hart County High School both have B-pluses. The high school’s Career and College Academy offers over a dozen career-oriented pathways, including culinary arts, marine engine technology, audio/video technology and human services.
Driving to major cities from Hartwell
Hartwell is about 40 miles northeast of Athens, 110 miles northeast of Atlanta and 60 miles southwest of Greenville, SC, which has the closest international airport. Although this area became much more popular during the pandemic’s work-from-home boom, some residents do commute to larger cities via Interstate 85 and state Route 172. The area has a manufacturing base as well, with Nestle Purina and Fenner Dunlop, an industrial product manufacturer, among the companies nearby. St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital is about 15 miles northwest of downtown Hartwell.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
